One year of Abraham Accords: UAE a significant partner, says Israel's Head of Mission

Abu Dhabi - The two countries' relationship stems from common interests, said the Embassy's Charge d'affaires Eitan Na'eh.

Eitan Na'eh, Charge d'affaires of the Embassy of Israel to the UAE, said the two countries have been building a relationship based on taking action that stems from common interests, seeking ways to build a better future and finding solutions on issues facing the region and the world.

Speaking to Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview ahead of the first anniversary of the announcement of the Abraham Accords, Na'eh said: "The UAE is a very significant partner to Israel. It is significant because there is high synergy. The UAE is one of, if not the most developed Arab country, certainly in the region. We find wherever we go and whenever we talk to our colleagues [in the UAE] that in almost every issue, we find very high synergy, and things simply connect."

"When we connect people, we find a lot in common," he said with optimism.

Tackling similar challenges

Since the signing of the Accords last year, organisations in both countries have signed multiple partnership agreements in various sectors, including education, food and water security, technology and medical research.

The Charge d'affaires noted that the endless avenues for cooperation will bolster economic growth in both countries, with Israel-UAE bilateral trade already reaching over AED2.48 billion (US$675.22 million), in the ten months since the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.

Some of the issues that are most likely to emerge as close areas of cooperation are those that both countries are battling with and are challenges that they are facing, the Israeli diplomat said.

"We are both located in the Middle East, so it's climatic, desert and semi-desert in our case," he said. "Agriculture and food security obviously is an issue we have battled with…and it is an issue that the UAE is certainly dealing with."

One avenue for cooperation in the international arena, Na'eh noted, is to tackle issues that are important for both countries like climate change, "as both are affected by it," he added. In addition, medicine, AI and technology are all major areas for mutual exploration.

"I find this country is very keen to develop technology and become a technological hub. I think we have quite a bit we can do together - everything from earth to space."

He foresees much cooperation in the areas of research and development as well as in energy. "Our goals in terms of desalinated water and alternative energy are similar. We are similar-sized countries. These are the fields that we will see a lot of cooperation in," added Na'eh.

A prime example of early cooperation is demonstrated by Watergen, an Israeli based company, which recently installed a number of water-from-air machines in Abu Dhabi. The company will soon become the first Israeli production factory in the UAE, "creating water-from-air," he added.

Official visits and collaborations

Na'eh expressed his county's interest in "bringing delegations here," and hoping to receive more Emirati delegations to Israel in the future.

"We had a few ministerial visits already," he pointed out. "Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid was here, and the UAE's Minister of State for Food and Water Security Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mheiri visited Israel."

In July, Al Mheiri signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the vital areas of food and water security with Israel.